Saturday, September 15, 2018

1972 – Clay County Fair IMCA Race to Gennetten

Spencer,
Iowa (September 15, 1972) – Gene Gennetten of Gladstone, Mo., put it all
together, “finally”, as he breezed to victory in the 25-lap IMCA sprint car
feature at the Clay County Fair on Friday night before 3,500 appreciative fans.

Genetten, an
IMCA veteran of three years, made his first trip to victory lane and became the
12th individual feature winner this season in IMCA.

Seemingly
crucial to his victory was the fact that he had the pole position for the
feature and the racing surface was hard and slick. Any hopes of setting records
vanished on the third lap when a spin-out in turn one caused the yellow to come
out and a fast pace quickly settled down.

Earl Wagner
of Pleasantville, Iowa, after winning two features in his last three outings,
had his hopes dimmed as engine trouble forced him out of competition after only
three circuits.

Ray Lee
Goodwin of Kansas City, the current IMCA point’s leader, finished second after
driving a steady, safe race.

Dick
Sutcliffe of Kansas City and Chuck Amati of Greenfield, Tenn., second and third
respectively in points, did not gain any ground on Goodwin as Sutcliffe
finished fourth and Amati was a disappointing ninth.

Eddie
Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., turned in the fastest time of the day in qualifying
with a 23.73 second clocking on the half-mile.

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Preserving the history of Midwest Auto Racing

So much racing history has been made through the years right here in the Midwest.

From the rich dirt ovals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska to the paved short tracks in Minnesota and Wisconsin, some of the best drivers ever to get behind the wheel of a race car competed right here in the heartland.

We all have our own story to share about our favorite driver who thrilled us everytime they rolled onto the track or that one particular race that still stands out as the greatest they ever saw.

We'll go back in history, 10, 20, 30, 40, even 50 years ago (even more) and reminisce about what has made racing in the Midwest so special for us.